Podcasts are a great way to connect to comedy

Whether you’re on the PRT or killing some time on campus between classes, podcasts are a great way to pass the time. You can plug in your earphones and immediately feel like you’re with friends – albeit much more clever and witty friends than you may be used to.

The allure of this media isn’t just the entertainment; it’s the camaraderie listeners can feel with the hosts and guests of the shows. Podcasts have a way of pulling you in to make you feel like you’re part of the conversation, and – for me, anyway – it’s a conversation I want to be a part of. They give listeners a chance to hear a more down-to-earth side of celebrities and guests that is rare in other forms of media.

In the midst of the chaos of classes and beginning a new school year (and a new school for some), these can offer a much-needed release. With all of the pressure school can bring, a dose of comedy in this form can be a precious commodity.

So, here are a few comedic podcasts to help you get through the start of the school year. All are available for free download on iTunes, and the last two are available free on www.earwolf.com, as well.

‘Doug Loves Movies’

Doug Benson, creator and star of "Super High Me" and "The Benson Interruption," stays true to his usual laid-back and childlike demeanor in this comedy podcast. The title describes it well; the podcast is basically just Benson and his comedic friends discussing movies, which he greatly enjoys. The major enticement of the show is the guests he features.

These have included Sarah Silverman, Edgar Wright, Zach Galifianakis, Michael Cera and many more. Perhaps the most popular aspect of the show for listeners is the "Leonard Maltin Game," in which Benson reads a list of the cast of an unknown movie from "Leonard Maltin’s Movie Guide" to his guests, who must guess the film.

The show is really fun to listen to, and it makes the listener feel like he’s just sitting in a room hanging out with a stoned Doug Benson and (often similarly situated) celebrity friend.

‘How Did This Get Made?’

Do you ever find yourself watching something and wondering, "How the f--- did this movie get made?" That’s precisely what this podcast covers. Well, it’s not so much the technicalities of how a film is created as it is jokes made at the expense of the films. With their comedic expertise, Paul Scheer ("The League," "NTSF:SD:SUV"), his wife June Diane Raphael ("NTSF:SD:SUV") and Jason Mantzoukas ("The League") pick apart some of Hollywood’s most questionable films, including "Twilight: Breaking Dawn," "Superman III" and "Jingle All the Way." Listeners aren’t required to actually watch the movie, since it’s usually not something you want to see anyway, so it’s not hard to follow along. However, if you do happen to have first-hand experience with the film, their commentary is even more hilarious.

‘Hodgepodcast’

This podcast seems to take in a little bit of everything; it truly is a "hodgepodge" of movie reviews. The only tie between the reviews they choose is the comedy the hosts bring to them. Former West Virginia University student Justin Channel and Zane Crosby, creators of the YouTube series "Two Dudes and a Sweet Prince" and the horror/comedy "Die and Let Live," collaborate once a week to discuss a variety of films and other subjects. The emphasis seems to be on family films, including childhood favorites such as "Blank Check" and "Kazaam," to which they add their own humorous perspectives.

But with these two, anything is up for discussion. They also cover recent releases like "The Avengers" and even reminisce about their own theater experiences in the episode "Tales from the Projection Booth." If you’re looking for something funny and relatable, but sporadic enough to keep you interested, this podcast is the perfect choice for you.